Dutch police warn of gunfire if COVID protests rock Rotterdam | Coronavirus Plague News

Several people were arrested and seven were injured after protesting against a small blockade.

Dutch police fired shots, injuring several people, after protests in Rotterdam against the closure of COVID-19 became violent as other protesters set fire to a police car and threw stones.

The riots erupted after protests took place in the port city against recently imposed restrictions and government plans to restrict people who had not been relocated.

Several people were arrested and seven people were injured, including police, during a night riot on the Rotterdam highway.

The Netherlands returned to Western Europe for the first time closing slightly of winter last week. Restrictions, which affect restaurants, shops and games, are expected to work for three weeks.

Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb described the incident as “violent”.

“Police have seen the need to draw a police weapon in the end to protect themselves,” he told reporters.

Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.

“There are injuries related to the shooting,” he added. He did not give a number but a Dutch NOS spokesman said two people were injured.

Dutch journalists say hundreds of protesters shouted “freedom”, then fired at police and firefighters and set fire to several electric scooters. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Things had stabilized later Friday night, but there were more police officers.

Dutch media footage showed one police car on fire and another with a broken bicycle in the windshield.

Local political party Leefbaar Rotterdam condemned the violence in a tweet.

“In the center of our beautiful city this evening has been transformed into a war zone,” it said. “Rotterdam is a city where you can be inconsistent with violence but violence will not stop, no.”

Dutch police say groups from around the country were brought in to “restore peace” in the city.

Rotterdam officials issued an emergency order barring people from gathering in the area “to maintain order”, while its main railway was closed.

Demonstrations are set in Amsterdam and the southern city of Breda on Saturday. Local media reports say tens of thousands of people are expected to attend.

The Netherlands is trying to regulate the new coronavirus, with more than 21,000 new cases announced Friday.

The government is now considering removing those who have not been vaccinated in bars and restaurants, and allowing those who have been vaccinated to be vaccinated or cured.

Similar experiences have already occurred in neighboring Germany. Austria is in full swing and is preparing to launch a vaccine under duress.